Buying A Used Car? Be Wary Of The Dealer's Pre-sale Inspection

Trading Standards has repeated its assertion that the used car sector is among the most complained-about in the UK, after some customers raised grievances about cars that required major repairs.

The used car supermarket in question says it’s “committed to resolving concerns fairly and responsibly” and that “every vehicle undergoes a comprehensive inspection and pre-sale preparation”.

Ah yes, the comprehensive pre-sale inspection. Mazda has just launched an updated approved used programme that includes a “multi-point inspection and rigorous vehicle preparation”. For years, dealers have presented these things as a consumer benefit when the fact is the law demands that the cars they sell must be in roadworthy condition. Inspecting and preparing cars for sale is, surely, just a way of protecting themselves.

However, given that even the best inspections don’t involve dismantling and are unlikely to be more rigorous than an MOT test, exactly how worthwhile are they?

I recall being given a tour of the preparation centre of a used car group. The boss boasted about its 100 bays, its smart-repair facility and his technicians’ ability to process dozens of cars a day. I don’t recall any of the vehicles being road tested, never mind having their innards examined.

On the grounds that even after inspection and road testing some faults don’t reveal themselves until after purchase, I’d suggest that dealers openly advertise a further benefit with their used car offerings and approved used programmes: a pledge to abide by the 2015 Consumer Rights Act, stating that they will treat all complaints seriously and deal with them in a timely way.

I wonder whether the sales administration fees that some dealers charge on top of the vehicle purchase price actually lose them business.

Rooting around an online sales website, I found a 2019 Vauxhall Astra 1.4 Turbo SRi Auto with 12,000 miles being advertised for £11,690, with no mention of an admin fee. This figure earned it a much-coveted ‘lower price’ rating but, digging deeper, I read at the foot of the sales description that a £249 admin fee would be charged on top, plus £499 for third-party finance applications.

I won’t be buying from them...